A Stonehouse youngster enjoyed a special lunch earlier this month with the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

Amy Carmichael (11), was invited round for tea to the Scottish Parliament by the First Minister after meeting her in July at the opening of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

That day Amy also had the honour of presenting Her Majesty the Queen with flowers, having raised over £12,000 for the charity Bloodwise (formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research).

Amy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2012 when she was seven-years-old and is currently in remission.

Her treatment, which lasted nearly two-and-a-half-years, had some horrible side effects but Amy showed great strength of spirit and courage throughout.

She decided she wanted to raise funds for Bloodwise, a charity who funds research into the treatment she received.

She said it made her sad to see so many children’s names on the board in the ward and hoped with research that one day there would be no names on the board.

Amy had the most amazing day at Parliament, first of all getting to go to First Minster’s Questions, where Amy did enjoy the ‘lively’ atmosphere.

Then it was on to a lovely lunch and chat with the First Minister in the member’s restaurant.

Alex Salmond MP was at another table in the restaurant and Amy had a chat with him too having met with him last year.

Then Amy spent some time with the First Minister in her office. They especially enjoyed taking selfies. Amy said: “It was like a dream come true. The best day ever. The First Minister was lovely. I had so much fun. She really liked my selfie stick!”

The First Minister was inspired by Amy’s fundraising and later that day made a donation to her justgiving page, bringing Amy’s total to £13,000.

Amy and her Mum, Heather, would like to thank the First Minster and her staff for such a wonderful day and for looking after them so well. It is a day that Amy will never forget.